7 September 2020

Thursday is World Suicide Prevention Day, ‘working together to prevent suicide’.  The WHO estimates that over 800,000 people take their own life each year – that’s one person every 40 seconds.

Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy. The impact is devastating and the effects far-reaching on families, friends and staff members.

CNWL is partnered with the Zero Suicide Alliance; we stand with them, sharing key messages about prevention and supporting their national mental health campaign.

The world has changed for all of us due to Covid;  it has been challenging and stressful in lots of different ways.

It is so important now that we check that others are OK when we’re worried they’re not and that we support each other.

We know that suicide is preventable, it’s not inevitable and we all have a part to play.  Take 20 minutes out of your day and complete the Zero Suicide Alliance Training-it is accessible to all on their website.

We also need to be aware that our colleagues, our friends and members of our family may also be feeling overwhelmed, exhausted and worried about the future.

Sometimes, it feels difficult to start the conversation but completing the training provides the skills you need to approach situations where you encounter someone in emotional pain and distress, experiencing suicidal thoughts.

Start that conversation and you may save a life.